As the entire surrogacy process can cost up to $150,000, the most significant challenge for intended parents considering surrogacy is often the financial burden.
With six major cost categories, coupled with numerous variables and unexpected expenses, it’s no wonder intended parents are looking for ways to reduce costs. As an experienced intended parent myself and someone who has overseen hundreds of surrogacy journeys, I wholeheartedly understand that the ultimate goal is to bring home a healthy baby while minimizing financial and health risks for all involved. Here are some tips on where you can save costs — and where you shouldn’t.
Where to Pay Out
First and foremost, every intended parent must understand the heart of surrogacy – surrogates are motivated by the desire to help families in need and make their family-building dreams come true. The satisfaction of enabling intended parents to start or extend a family is invaluable.
Surrogates take immense pride, honor, and responsibility in this role, often sacrificing their own comfort and family life to help others. Therefore, it’s essential to avoid making the process feel purely transactional or focused solely on money. This brings us to our first tip:
Tip #1: See Eye to Eye with Surrogate Compensation
Once you’ve agreed upon the details of the surrogate’s total compensation package, avoid re-negotiating or haggling over during the legal agreement stage. This includes base compensation, lost wages, and milestone bonuses. Unlike other agreements, this is not the time to expect a discount or lower compensation expectations. Attempting to do so can erode trust and damage the emotional connection between the surrogate and intended parents.
Tip #2: Invest in Insurance
Proper insurance coverage is critical to protect everyone involved in the surrogacy process. There are several types of insurance you should ensure are in place:
- Comprehensive Medical Insurance: This is essential for the surrogate to cover all medical needs during the pregnancy.
- Life Insurance: A life insurance plan should cover the surrogate, with a portion allocated to the intended parents in case of a tragic loss.
- Newborn Medical Insurance: Especially important for international parents, this covers the baby’s medical needs after delivery, particularly if NICU care is required.
Tip #3: Avoid Cutting Corners on Legal Agreements
Investing in a solid legal agreement is crucial. This ensures that all parties are protected and that the rights and responsibilities of the intended parents, surrogate, and any donors are clearly defined, especially at a time when the recent personhood legislation is changing the surrogacy landscape in the US.
Cutting costs in legal services can lead to disputes or complications later on, which could end up costing more in the long run. Plus, it is the shortest way that results in unnecessary mental burdens for all parties involved.
Where to Skimp Over
While some areas of the surrogacy process should not be compromised, there are opportunities to save without increasing risk.
Tip #1: Consider a First-Time Surrogate
First-time surrogates typically have compensation packages that are 20% – 25% lower than those of experienced surrogates. While repeated surrogates bring experience and knowledge, there is no medical advantage in choosing one over a first-timer. Since surrogate compensation is the single most expensive part of the journey, selecting a first-time surrogate can result in significant savings.
Tip #2: Be Flexible About Surrogate Residency
While it might be convenient to choose a surrogate who lives near your IVF clinic, this can come with higher costs, especially if the clinic is in a major metropolitan area like California, Texas, or Florida, where the cost of living is high.
Instead, consider surrogates from states with lower living costs but still have surrogate-friendly laws. This flexibility can result in substantial savings.
Tip #3: Choose a Surrogate with Insurance
Some surrogates have their own insurance through their employer or spouse, which may fully cover surrogate pregnancy depending on the policy. Your agency should assist in verifying that the policy covers surrogacy.
This can save you $10,000-$15,000 in potential insurance premiums, doctor visits, and hospital costs. Waiting to find a surrogate with such insurance is a smart cost-saving strategy.
Conclusion
Surrogacy is a once-in-a-lifetime emotional and financial investment. While the costs can be challenging, there are ways to make it more affordable without increasing risks. By being flexible in your surrogate selection process, you can find safe opportunities to save. However, remember that certain areas – such as surrogate compensation, insurance, and legal agreements – should not be compromised, as doing so may lead to increased costs or risks in the long term.
As you navigate this journey, keep in mind that the goal is to bring home a healthy baby while minimizing financial and health risks for all involved. With careful planning and the right guidance, you can make your dream of parenthood a reality.
